Blackjack

First starting out in France in the 1700’s, blackjack has come along way and is, perhaps, the most popular game of chance.  With the advancement of technology, however, blackjack is not only popular in casinos, but online blackjack is one of the most popular forms of online entertainment.  The individual that does not play blackjack is often the individual who simply does not know how to play.  The fact is blackjack is one of the simplest games to play.

The goal of blackjack is to get the total points of 21 in the hand of cards you are dealt.  The most important blackjack rule is to not go over 21 points.  If this happens, you bust, or in other words, lose the hand.  You must also remember that in this game, unlike many other games, your opponent is not the other players sitting at the table.  Your opponent is the dealer and only the dealer.

Play begins with all of the players receiving two cards, both face down.  The dealer, of course, deals in clockwise.  The dealer then will receive two cards; however, one of the dealers will be dealt face-up.  This is called the up card.  This blackjack rule will vary according to the amount of decks being used, as well as vary from casino to casino.  All of the face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) are worth 10 points, the Ace is worth 1 or 11 points (whichever works best for the player), and all of the remaining cards are worth their face value in points.

In this original hand, if a player receives the first two cards and they are an Ace and either a 10 or a face card, the player automatically wins and the payout is 3 -2.   This is called a natural or blackjack.  If the dealer has the same hand as the player, however, there is a standoff.  If only the dealer gets blackjack, he or she wins all of the player’s bets as is.